Flexible Closed-Cell Foam Sheets for Non-Abrasive Snow Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing snow brushes either cause micro scratches on vehicle surfaces due to abrasive bristles or fail to reach curved and small areas due to inflexible foam heads.

Innovation Solution

A snow brush with flexible sheets of closed-cell foams, such as EVA or rubber, secured to a handle, providing continuous brushing edges that are non-abrasive and adaptable to various surface geometries, allowing for efficient snow removal without damaging the vehicle finish.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If bristles brushes are used for removing snow, then snow can be effectively removed, but micro scratches are caused on the vehicle surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnow removal efficiencyVSAvoidmicro scratches on vehicle surface

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the brushing surface from abrasive bristles to non-abrasive closed-cell foam material. This parameter change maintains snow removal capability while eliminating the harmful abrasive effect that causes micro scratches on the vehicle surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses closed-cell foam as a composite material that combines the benefits of structural integrity for snow removal with a soft, non-abrasive surface that protects the vehicle finish. The closed-cell structure provides both mechanical strength and a gentle contact surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If molded foam-type head is used instead of bristles, then micro scratches are avoided, but flexibility to adapt curved surfaces is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicro scratches on vehicle surfaceVSAvoidflexibility to adapt curved surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the foam head into multiple flexible sheets that can independently conform to curved surfaces. This segmentation allows each sheet to bend and adapt to complex geometries while maintaining the non-abrasive foam material property throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a dynamic, flexible foam structure that can change its shape and conform to different surface geometries. The flexible sheets can bend, stretch, and adapt to curved surfaces like side mirrors and spoilers, providing the needed versatility while maintaining the non-abrasive characteristic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If bristles brush is stored within the vehicle, then it is convenient for storage, but snow melts into water and freezes forming hard ice that damages car finish

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage convenienceVSAvoidice formation damage to car finish

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from bristle-based to closed-cell foam, which has different thermal and structural properties. The closed-cell structure does not allow snow to penetrate and freeze between bristles, preventing the formation of hard ice that could damage the vehicle finish during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9221432B2Snow brush

Publication Date: 2015.12.29 GARANT GP

AI summary

A snow brush, comprising flexible sheets secured by a first edge to a handle, all edges of the flexible sheets other than the first edge providing corresponding continuous brushing edges, wherein the flexible sheets are sheets of closed cells foams, and a method for fabricating the now brush, comprising selecting flexible sheets, securing a first edge of the flexible sheets to a handle, wherein selecting flexible sheets comprises selecting a number of sheets, and a thickness, a density and a free length of each sheet.